Manchester United have been in sparkling form as of late, winning all but two of their matches across all competitions since the domestic campaign resumed following the World Cup, and Erik ten Hag’s rejuvenation of the Red Devils is well underway.

Indeed, the Dutchman could lead the Old Trafford club to their first trophy in six years, having secured a place in the Carabao Cup final. That could well be the catalyst for more glory, akin to when Sir Alex Ferguson claimed the 1990 FA Cup and begun a two-decade dominance of the English game.

It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, however, with news that Christian Eriksen will be out until April at the earliest due to suffering an ankle injury following a tackle by Reading’s Andy Carroll in their recent FA Cup tie.

Losing the influential Dane is a big blow for United, with the 30-year-old being their leading creator with seven Premier League assists already this term, and nine in all competitions.

Ten Hag managed to bring in some cover in the shape of Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, who arrived on a six-month loan deal. However, the Dutchman could still have filled the Eriksen void by unleashing a player who is already at United, namely Zidane Iqbal.

The 19-year-old made his first-team debut against Young Boys in December 2021, and although he has been in the matchday squad a few times this season, he has yet to play competitively under Ten Hag.

The youngster has previously shown glimpses of his extraordinary talent, none more so than on United’s pre-season tour last summer, impressing in a 4-0 victory over Liverpool and the subsequent win over Melbourne Victory.

Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy was clearly impressed by the young prodigy as she lavished praise upon Iqbal, saying: “Zidane Iqbal has heaps of technical quality, skill and intelligence - importantly with the personality to match it. He demands the ball, moves, scans, never hides and is not scared of making a mistake in trying to execute what he feels is the right decision.”

It's evident that he now needs some first-team action if he is to carry on his remarkable progress, and with the injury to Eriksen, there could well be an opportunity for the Iraq international even despite the presence of Sabitzer.

With matches coming thick and fast over the coming months, the teenage sensation will surely get his chance sooner rather than later.